Matt and Jessica have returned from their travels to Africa with Frontline World - complete with bead necklace and t-shirt gifts for the office! We'll be sure the coffee pot is full over the next few days to help Matt with his jetlag... but in the meantime here are some of the beautiful pics they brought back with them -

Matt and Jessica visited with Janet Alupot, Executive Director of Women's Initiative to Eradicate Poverty in Uganda. They were able to observe Janet's daily activities working with her clients as she accepted loan applications, disbursed loan funds and counseled entrepreneurs on their business ideas. Janet is a true leader and a lot of social good is taking place as a result of her work - watch the Frontline World piece on Kiva to see Janet in action!

Matt visiting one of Kiva's earliest borrowers, Petronilla Shivachi, at her grocery store in Kenya. Petro's business is going so well that she has expanded into other ventures, and Matt spent a few hours discussing business ideas with her.

What an amazing picture! Rose, Eunice, Christine, Elizabeth and Apollo are actually 5 of Kiva's first borrowers, all of whom have repaid their loans in full and whose businesses are still continuing a year later.If they look a little different than you remember from their business description it's because they've all gained some weight (but don't worry - that's a compliment in Africa!)

Add new comment

Kiva's Comment Policy

To encourage conversation and build community on Kiva's blogs, we've made commenting accessible and viewable by anyone visiting Kiva. Given this high visibility, we ask that you abide by the following guidelines when posting a comment:

Comments should be relevant to the content of specific blog posts and are not to be used for self-promotion or to advertise or solicit.

Please refrain from using profanity or language that may be seen as degrading or disrespectful.

Commenters are expected to accurately and honestly represent themselves. False identities will not be tolerated.

Kiva reserves the right to remove comments in violation of this policy. See Kiva's Terms of Use Agreement for more information on user-generated content.

Add Your Comments

Kiva's Comment Policy

To encourage conversation and build community on Kiva's blogs, we've made commenting accessible and viewable by anyone visiting Kiva. Given this high visibility, we ask that you abide by the following guidelines when posting a comment:

Comments should be relevant to the content of specific blog posts and are not to be used for self-promotion or to advertise or solicit.

Please refrain from using profanity or language that may be seen as degrading or disrespectful.

Commenters are expected to accurately and honestly represent themselves. False identities will not be tolerated.

Kiva reserves the right to remove comments in violation of this policy. See Kiva's Terms of Use Agreement for more information on user-generated content.

Search Kiva Updates

About Kiva

Kiva connects millions of people through lending to alleviate poverty. Read about our partners, programs and loans here. Or check out stories straight from the field on the Kiva Fellows Blog. Have questions? Send them our way at blog@kiva.org.